Departure Day

Today the adventure begins. Check in for your international flight to Japan.

Arrival Day

Upon arrival into Sapporo City, we will transfer you to your hotel for you to check in for your three night stay.

Sapporo City is the capital of Hakkaido; Japans northernmost main island. Within its short 130 year lifetime, Sapporo City has been designed as a grid-like system making it manageable to navigate around and ensuring that you see all that the city has to offer in your few days here.

It is famed for it’s annual Snow Festival, the Snow Royal ice cream and it’s ramen (traditional Japanese noodle soup) but that’s not all, as Sapporo City will blow you away as a dynamic and diverse destination.

This evening join your Tour Manager and the rest of your tour group for welcome drinks.

Match Day

This evening, action begins as England take on Tonga at the Sapporo Dome. We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes. Once at the stadium, soak up the unique atmosphere that comes with a Rugby World Cup and settle in for England's first pool game.

Sapporo City

Explore Sapporo City at your own leisure today.

Sapporo City to Osaka City

Today we depart Sapporo City for Osaka City. Once in Osaka City, we will transfer you to your hotel for a one night stay.

Osaka City is the second largest city in Japan and is renowned for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife and incredible cuisine. The Japanese refer to the city as the ‘kitchen under the heavens’.

Osaka City to Kobe City

Today we depart Osaka City for Kobe City.

Kobe City is set on a hillside sloping down to the sea and is a relatively small city that is easy to navigate around. In 1995, it was devastated by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and you can pay respect to this natural disaster at the Earthquake Museum, well worth a visit. Today, Kobe has been rebuilt into a thriving metropolitan city and the three most pleasant neighbourhoods to explore are Kitano-chõ, Nankinmachi Chinatown and, after dark, the bustling nightlife districts around Sannomiya.

Match Day

Today we will transfer you to Kobe Misaki Stadium for the second game of the group stages, England v USA. After the match we will transfer you back to your hotel in Kobe City.

Kobe City

Enjoy your final day in Kobe City at leisure.

Kobe City to Kyoto

Today we will transfer you from Kobe City to Kyoto for your four night stay.

Kyoto

Kyoto, meaning capital city, reflecting on its 1000 year history as the imperial city of Japan, is located on the central part of the island of Honshu. It’s significance in Japanese history resounds throughout the city. It was saved from bombing in World War II and as a result has many historical buildings in tact which attract thousands of tourists year on year. There are many ancient temples, tea ceremony masters, traditional ryokan inns and centuries old craftsmanship, flower arranging, zen rock gardens and mysterious Geisha…which all make Kyoto a truly mesmerising place to visit. You have the option to book onto our guided tour of Kyoto, a perfect way to familiarise yourself with this beguiling city. 

Kyoto to Kanazawa

Today we travel by train as we journey from Kyoto to Kanazawa, one of Japans best preserved historical cities, where you are staying for two nights.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a popular tourist destination. The city translates as the ‘stream of gold’ which is fitting as almost all of Japans gold comes from here. Indeed it is famed for its gold, gardens and Geisha. There are two Geisha districts, Higashi Chaya and Nishi Chaya, either side of the city which visitors gather to, hoping to catch a glimpse of Geisha. Not forgetting the Nagamachi Samurai quarter which is considered to be one of the best in Japan due to its well preserved streets and buildings.

Kanazawa is well known for its three tea districts; Higashiyama, Nishichaya-gai and Kazue-machi. This ancient ritual of preparing and serving tea is sure to get your taste buds going for when you venture into the Katamachi district – known as ‘The Scramble’ which is packed with people, shops, restaurants and lively bars.

Kanazawa to Tokyo Metropolitan

Today we leave Kanazawa feeling refreshed and immersed in the Japanese culture to head to Tokyo Metropolitan for a three night stay in the Shinagawa area of the city. This area of Tokyo is a convenient hub for exploration. 

Match Day

Today we will transfer you to Tokyo Stadium for the penultimate game of the group stages, England v Argentina. After the match we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Tokyo means ‘Eastern Capital’ and is made up of a patchwork of over 1000 neighbourhoods which conjoin together to create a mega metropolis. Each district has developed it’s own personality over the years which helps to refine where you choose to explore during your stay here.

You may wish to opt in for our excursion whilst here, which takes you on a guided tour of the hotspots of the city.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Today we will transfer you to the Tokyo Bay area for three nights, a scenic waterfront area that is a popular tourist destination thanks to it's abundance of shopping, sightseeing, restaurants and bars.

Tokyo Metropolitan

Today you are transferred from your hotel in Tokyo Bay to your hotel in the Shinjuku district of the city. This district also has shopping, eating and a great night life, with literally hundreds of bars and restaurants catering to every taste imaginable.

Match Day

Today we will transfer you to International Stadium Yokohama for the final game of the pool stages, England v France. After the game we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Tokyo Metropolitan to Hiroshima

Today we leave Tokyo for our next destination of Hiroshima. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for your three night stay. 

Hiroshima

Whilst here, you will most certainly want to pay a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in the Peace Park to identify and pay respect to the damage caused by the atomic bomb in 1945. A must see is the Genbaku Dome which is the only structure left standing at Ground Zero, now a memorial to the destructive nature of the bomb.

Hiroshima is a thriving city filled with shops, bars, restaurants where you will find its signature dish of Okonomiyaki – a savoury pancake with noodles cooked on an iron plate usually in front of the customer. The dish can be found in almost every restaurant as it is a culinary delight that the people of Hirsohima are rightly proud of.

Hiroshima to Fukuoka City

Today we depart Hiroshima for your four night stay in Fukuoka City, by Bullet train. Situated on the Northern Shore of Kyushu island, Fukuoka City is a fun-loving, modern and cosmopolitan city and during Rugby World Cup, Fukuoka city is the place to be. All of the supporters will be staying in Fukuoka City and travelling into Oita on match days.

This city has a relaxed vibe with the perfect blend of chic boutiques, laid back bars and glorious cuisine.

Fukuoka City

Fukuoka City is merged from two cities – Hakata and Fukuoka, and what Fukuoka City lacks in historical Japanese historic culture, it makes up for in it’s contemporary and dynamic modern way of life revealing the essence of Japan as it is today.

The city’s signature dish is it’s Hakata ramen, a thick noodle and pork broth. It has the second highest number of clubs and bars (after Tokyo Metropolitan) so whilst you are here, you may wish to wander along to Oyafuku Dori - the street brimming with afterhours bars and clubs which will provide the buzz of the vibrant and modern Japan you are looking for. Try a Yanagibashi burger made from fried fishcake at Hakata’s Kitchen which has about 100 years of history.

Match Day - quarter-final one

This afternoon, action begins with the first quarter-final, as the winner of pool C takes on the runner up of pool D at Oita Stadium. We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes. Once at the stadium, soak up the unique atmosphere that comes with a Rugby World Cup quarter-final and settle in as the teams prepare to battle for a place in the semi-final.

Match Day - quarter-final three

This afternoon, action continues with the third quarter-final, as the winner of pool D takes on the runner up of pool C at Oita Stadium. We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Osaka City

Today you are transferred back to Osaka City for three nights. 

Osaka has all the culture, attractions and delicious that food you can expect from a Japanese city, and with the bonus of less crowds and congested streets.

A must-see is Osaka Castle, which is one of Japan's most famous landmarks as it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century. It has managed to stay standing in spite of war, fire and even a lightning strike, thanks to continued reconstruction and restoration projects. Whilst here, you can also explore it's vast and colourful gardens.

Osaka to Tokyo Metropolitan

Experience travel by bullet train once more as we journey from Osaka to return to Tokyo Metropolitan, where you are staying for twelve nights. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel, the New Otani, almost a city within itself with over 30 places to eat. The hotel is also well known for its historic garden, dating back to the 16th century, a quintessentially Japanese hotel, blending modern convenience with historic charm.  

Tokyo Metropolitan

A day at leisure to explore Tokyo Metropolitan.

Match Day - semi-final one

This evening the penultimate stage of the competition begins with the first semi-final, as the winner of quarter-final one takes on the winner of quarter-final two at International Stadium Yokohama.  We will transfer you out the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Match Day - semi-final two

This evening the semi-finals continue as the winner of quarter-final three takes on the winner of quarter-final four at International Stadium Yokohama.  We will transfer you to the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Tokyo Metropolitan to Kyoto

Today we depart Tokyo Metropolitan to head back to Kyoto on the Bullet train for your three night stay. Perhaps this time, you may wish to visit Sanjo which is an arcade full of old, family run establishments, or perhaps the Gion district with it’s many tea salons, artisan shops, temples, shrines and traditional Japanese houses (machiya).  

(If you would like an alternative option please contact us). 

Kyoto to Tokyo Metropolitan

Today we transfer back to our Rugby World Cup accommodation, the New Otani Hotel, for your final five nights in this bustling metropolis.   

Match Day - bronze final

This evenings games sees the semi-final runners up battle it out in the bronze final. The runners up of semi-final one take on the runners up of semi-final two at Tokyo Stadium. We will transfer you to the the stadium from your hotel and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Match Day - the final!

The day we have all been waiting for as tension builds for the final match. The winner of Rugby World Cup 2019™ will be crowned at the International Stadium Yokohama after six gruelling weeks of competition. We will transfer you to the the stadium in time to enjoy the unique atmosphere that comes with a Rugby World Cup final, and return you to your hotel when the match finishes.

Tokyo Metropolitan

A couple of days to relax after watching last nights teams battle it out to be crowned the winner of Rugby World Cup 2019™.

On your final evening in Japan, get together with your fellow tourists and Tour Manager to reminisce over drinks and share your tour highlights. 

Departure Day

Depart Japan today to head back to the UK. 

Arrive home

It's been memorable! Today we land back into the UK and make our own journeys home with many great memories and new found friendships.